American Players Theatre
The Gift of the Magi
The year-end holiday performance season warms up this week with the American Players Theatre production of The Gift of the Magi, and a staging of Songs of the Season: A Holiday Celebration with 3Girls3. The calendar also includes: a talk by Kate Bolick and Michael Cobb; and, live music from The Coup, Hanah Jon Taylor, Dave McGraw and Mindy Fer, People Under the Stairs, JD McPherson, Kelly Hogan, Ninety Miles Project, Scott Lucas & The Married Men, and The Werks.
Monday 11.26
NOTEWORTHY: National Hockey League formed, 1917.
Majestic Theatre, 8:30 pm
Boots Riley's intensely political hip-hop project -- think KRS-One debating Cornel West and Karl Marx -- values brains as much as bass, philosophy as much as flow. Its new album, Sorry to Bother You, has earned rave reviews from The Chicago Tribune and WBEZ's "Sound Opinions" talk show. With Jarred A.G. and DJ Phil Money.
Tuesday 11.27
NOTEWORTHY: First Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade held in New York City, 1924.
Cardinal Bar, 5:30 pm
This gutsy local saxophonist and flutist will whet whistles with some snazzy jazz during happy hour.
American Players Theatre's Touchstone Theatre, Spring Green, 7 pm. Also Thursday, Nov. 29, 7:30 pm; through Dec. 22
APT presents its charming original musical version of O. Henry's story, in which a financially strapped couple display selfless generosity toward one another.
Frequency, 8 pm
This alt-folk duo explores the American West with powerful electric-guitar playing and vocals that range from earthy to ethereal. With Evan Murdoch.
High Noon Saloon, 9 pm
This hip-hop duo is an indie-music success story, having performed more than 1,000 sold-out shows at venues around the world, from bars in their hometown of L.A. to clubs in Beijing and Shanghai. With Michael Medall, Crashprez and hitmayng.
Wednesday 11.28
NOTEWORTHY: The Grand Ole Opry begins broadcasting in Nashville, 1925.
High Noon Saloon, 8 pm
Though his songs contain strains of rockabilly and R&B, McPherson's list of inspirations includes classic rockers Led Zeppelin and the legendary rappers of the Wu-Tang Clan. See how he melds these diverse influences as he performs selections from his debut album, Signs and Signifiers. With Joel Paterson & the Modern Sounds.
Thursday 11.29
NOTEWORTHY: Atari announces release of Pong, its first commercially successful videogame, 1972.
Songs of the Season: A Holiday Celebration with 3Girls3
Overture Center's Capitol Theater, 7 pm
Enjoy dinner on the Capitol Theater stage while being serenaded, cabaret-style, by Chicago songstresses MaryMonica Thomas, Heather Moran and Gail Becker Koppa. You'll be home for Christmas in no time.
UW Elvehjem Building, Room L160, 7:30 pm
In this Humanities Without Boundaries lecture, titled "Uncoupled," Kate Bolick, contributing editor for The Atlantic and author of the viral article "All the Single Ladies," joins University of Toronto professor Michael Cobb, author of Single: Arguments for the Uncoupled. They'll discuss the joys of being alone again, naturally.
Kiki's House of Righteous Music, 8 pm
A former member of "art-a-billy" quartet Rock*A*Teens and a current member of Neko Case's backing band, Hogan has some of the most versatile pipes in the Midwest. With Count This Penny.
UW Music Hall, 8 pm
This collaboration between a group of American jazz musicians and Havana-based composers has helped mend relations between the U.S. and Cuba (see Music). At this Isthmus Jazz Series event, the American contingent, which includes vibraphonist Stefon Harris, trumpeter Nicholas Payton and sax man David Sanchez, will share songs from the group's latest recordings.
Frequency, 9 pm
Local H's vocalist will bring his twangy side project to the Frequency for an evening of tunes that range from dark, introspective personal anecdotes to blistering rock 'n' roll anthems (see Tour Stop).
Majestic Theatre, 11:30 pm
This quartet of festival-hopping Ohioans fuse electronica, funk and vintage psychedelia during live shows. Their new, self-titled album will serve as a jumping-off point for an evening of extended jams. With Wook.
